Means for supporting and aiming a hand-held device

ABSTRACT

A MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND AIMING A HAND-HELD DEVICE FIRMLY IN FIXED POSITION BY AN ADJUSTABLE BRACE FIXED BY ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE HAND AND BODY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH MEANS PROVIDED FOR SECURELY ATTACHING THE HAND TO THE HAND BRACE. IN ONE EMBODIMENT, THE DISCLOSED INVENTION IS SIMPLY DIRECTED TO THE BRACING MEANS   FOR POSITIONING ABOUT THE PALM PORTION OF THE HAND WITH CONNECTING ELEMENTS FOR RECEIVING A FINGER OR THUMB OF AN INDIVIDUAL.

J. Y. CANON 3,553,878

MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND AIMING A HAND'HELD'DEVICE Jan. 12, 1971 FiledJuly 23 FIG. 1

FIG. 2

FIG. 5

11v VENTOR JACK KY CANON FIG. 4-

United States Patent 7 3,553,878 MEANS FOR SUPPORTING AND AIMING AHAND-HELD DEVICE Jack Y. Canon, 2194 Delmus, Opelousas, La. 70570 FiledJuly 23, 1968, Ser. No. 746,895

Int. Cl. F41c 27/00, 29/00 U.S. Cl. 42-94 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A means for supporting and aiming a hand-held device firmlyin fixed position by an adjustable brace fixed by associated elementsrelative to the hand and body of an individual with means provided forsecurely attaching the hand to the hand brace. In one embodiment, thedisclosed invention is simply directed to the bracing means forpositioning about the palm portion of the hand with connecting elementsfor receiving a finger or thumb of an individual.

' This invention relates to means for supporting and aiming a hand-helddevice firmly in fixed position by a hand brace. The hand brace maysupport the hand in position relative to the body of an individual byinclusion of a body-contacting'member in association therewith.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a hand and finger orthumb securing flat strap formed of flexible material and having readilyadjustable and removable elements securely attachable about the palmportion of the hand.

' Numerous means are available in the art for bracing the arm of anindividual relative to the body for supporting and aiming a hand-helddevice such as a hand gun, motion picture camera and the like. Typicalexamples of such devices include a narrow strip of flexible materialWhich serves to resist movement by tension applied thereto through loopsconnected to either end of the strip of material. Rigid devices are alsoavailable to the art which typically resist movement by pressure ofcompression applied thereto. None of these devices heretofore employed,however, have provided effective supportby securely attaching of thehand to the bracing device which permits ease of movement to operate ahand-held device. Further, these devices have required involvedprocedures for accurately positioning for use and for removal when notin use.

By the practice of the present invention, means are provided forrestricting movement of the hand of an individual by securing elementsreceivable about the hand with connecting elements for receiving fingersor the thumb and, in particular, for restricting movement of the handwith such a bracing means relative to the body for use in supporting andaiming a hand-held device. The securing elements receivable about thehand of an individual are desirably separable fasteners comprisingcomplementary pairs of articles capable of engaging and holding to oneanother over an area.

Generally stated, the present invention provides a hand and fingerengaging brace having a finger or thumb receiving loop joined tosecuring elements receivable about the hand. In an embodiment, the braceis used in combination with elements to provide means for supporting andaiming a hand-held device. The securing elements used in the presentinvention are desirably separable fasteners having mechanicallyinteracting functional surfaces such as that disclosed by Flanagan inU.S. Pat. 3,266,113, andrelated separable fasteners such as thatdisclosed by Pearson in U.S. Pat. 3,192,589. By preference, however, theinterengaging surfaces of the securing elements are those incorporatedin closures commercially identified by the trademark Velcro. Severalembodi-J Patented Jan. 12, 1971 merits of these securing elements areavailable. One such separable fastening device comprises two layers ofwoven fabric of the velvet type in Which loops have been cut to formhooks such as that disclosed by DeMestral in U.S. Pat. 2,717,437. Thehooks are formed of nylon or similar material capable of preservingtheir shape after cutting loops to form hooks. Other separable fasteningdevices are disclosed by DeMestral in U.S. Pat. 3,009,- 235. Generally,these securing elements consist of one part of numerous, closely-spacedplastic hooks and of another part of a' felt-like material withnumerous, closely-spaced loops. When hook and loop elements are pressedinto face-to-face contact, the hooks catch onto the loops and the twoelements are retained firmly together until intentionally separated bypulling the two elements apart. Upon pulling the elements apart, thehooks flex, open up, disengage the loops, and separate. Afterseparation, the hooks close up and return to their original hook shape.Thus, the holding power is derived from the entanglement of elements.

In another variation, the fastening elements may take the shape ofball-ended threads upstanding from a fabric backing. The ball-ends maybe formed by heating ends of synthetic thermoplastic materials whichpartially melt and, upon cooling, form the ball or spherical shape. Onesuch fastening means is disclosed by Erb in U.S. Pat. 2,147,528, whileNaimer discloses a related means in U.S. Pat. 3,138,841.

The invention is described in greater detail with reference to thedrawing wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the hand brace of the present invention fixed withassociated elements and positioned relative to the hand and body of anindividual;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the brace of the presentinvention with associated elements;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along section lines A--A ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along section lines BB of FIG.1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along section lines CC of FIG.2.

Referring to the drawing wherein similar elements are indicated by likenumerals, FIG. 1 illustrates hand brace 10 of the present invention withassociated elements illustrated as body contacting member 36 positionedrelative to the hand and body of an individual 14, illustrated inphantom with the hands pictured holding a hand-held device 15illustrated as a hand gun.

Other hand-held devices may also be employed, providing stability of theheld device is required for sup porting and possibly aiming thereof.

Although the present hand brace 10 has a preferred usage as illustratedhereinafter, it is recognized that the brace may be employed incombination with a flexible hand-to-body member which providesresistance to movement of the hand by tension applied to the flexiblestrap,

or, alternatively, the hand brace may be employed in combination withany device which secures the hand of an individual to the device asdesired.

Hand brace 10 of the present invention is more clearly illustrated inFIG. 2. The hand brace is formed of a strip having a Width of about /2to about 1 /2 inches of flexible material such as cloth, syntheticfibers, leather or the like, having a pair of elongated free ends 16 and18. At least one loop 20 is formed intermediate the strip ends toreceive a finger or thumb of the hand of an individual. Although onlyone such finger or thumb receiving loop is illustrated, additional loopsmay be included, if desired. The loop is simply formed by joining twoflat surfaces of the strip of flexible material, such as by sewing area22 The formed loop may be inverted, if necessary, to pro vide acomfortable finger or thumb receiving loop. The

pair of elongated free ends of brace have a sufliciently length toencircle the palm portion or the hand with sufiicient length to overlap24 each other and to provide upper 26 and lower 28 superimposablelengths. The upper and lower superimposable lengths have matingseparable fasteners of the type mechanically interacting by functionalsurfaces positioned along a length at least that of the matingsuperimposable lengths.

Desirably, the mating separable fasteners are formed of a first surfacehaving a multiplicity of small, outwardlyprojecting loops made of stifffilamentary material; with a second surface mating therewith having amultiplicity of small, outwardly-projecting loop-shaped hooks,releasably engageable with the loops of the first surface when the twosurfaces are pressed into face-to-face mating contact.

Disposed along the length of one of the elongated free ends is articlegripping element 32, illustrated simply as a slot positioned in theflexible material with suitable securing means 34 provided, such asrivets, wire, sta les, bolts or merely by sewing the article to theflexible material. Other securing means may be used as desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates body-contacting member 36 formed of a bar 38receivably by telescopic movement in housing 40. The body-contactingmember is conveniently formed of plastic, although other materialsincluding metals and wood may be used, if desired. Rigid materials arepreferred for forming the body-contacting member.

Positioned along bar 38 are notched portions 42 which are removed in anydesired number to provide means for locking the telescopic movement atany particular location. Thus, a series of extended positions areavailable to suit the comfort and hand-to-hand distance of a particularuser.

Opposite the surface of bar 38 having at least one and desirably aseries of removed, notched portions 42, is provided a notched portion44, providing means for locking the telescopic movement in closed,non-use, telescopic position. A compact feature is thus available toprovide a device easily stored and transported, when not in use. Lockingmeans 46 is provided for restricting telescopic movement by the providednotched sections as described hereinafter.

Body contacting member 36 conveniently includes bodycontacting element48 having an arcuate body-contacting surface 50. The body-contactingelement is positioned near the body-contacting end of the housingsection and may be formed of similar materials as is the housingsection.

FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate in partial sectional views means forlocking telescopic movement of bar 38 by notched portions 42 and 44 withlocking means 46. Locking means 46 is desirably positioned near the endof housing 40 opposite the body-contacting area.

FlG. 3 illustrates locking means 46 as a slide box movable substantiallyperpendicular to the telescopic movement T when in non-locking position.The slide includes L-shaped first element 52 and second L-shaped element54 with leg 56 available for locking telescopic movement by a multiplenumber of notched portions 42, and with leg 58 available for lockingtelescopic movement in retracted non-use, compact position.

FIG. 4 more clearly illustrates how this locking is effected.

FIG. 5 taken as a plane 90 degrees to that of FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrateshow locking means 46 may slide substantially perpendicular to telescopicmovement T. Hous ing 40 may include channels 60 formed near one endthereof. A first blocked C-shaped clamp 62 and a second blocked C-shapedclamp 64 forms adjacent sides of the locking means. One leg of each ofthe blocked C-shaped clamps is received as a runner in channels 60 formovement, while a second leg of the blocked C-shaped clamp 62 and 64 prov ides gripping means for retaining the locking means in position nearthe end of housing 40.

One of the uses for which the preferred brace and associated elementsproviding a stable supporting and aiming means for a hand-held devicemay be used is to train an individual to properly and effectively use ahand gun. Otheruses are obviously apparent when any collapsiblesteadying device may be used.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustratedherein, it is to be understood that various changes and modificationsmay be made in the construction and arrangement of elements withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theclaims appended hereto.

- What is claimed is: r

1. A brace which comprises a strip of flexible material having a pair ofelongated free ends and at least one loop being formed to receive afinger or thumb of the hand of an individual, said loop being positionedintermediate the strip ends, said pair of elongated free ends havingsufiicient length to encircle to palm portion of the hand withsufficient length to overlap each other and to provide upper and lowersuperimposable lengths, said upper and lower superimposable lengthshaving mating separable fasteners of the type mechanically interactingby functional surfaces.

2. The brace as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper and lowersuperimposable lengths are provided with a first surface having amultiplicity of small, outwardlyprojecting loops made of stiff,filamentary material, and with a second surface having a multiplicity ofsmall, outwardly-projecting loop-shaped hooks releasably engageable withsaid loops when said first surface and said second surface are pressedinto face-to-face contact.

3. The brace as defined in claim 1 having an articlegripping elementdisposed along the length of said flexible strip.

4. The brace as defined in claim 3 having a body-contacting memberattached to said article-gripping element.

5. The brace as defined in claim 4 wherein the bodycontacting member isformed of rigid material.

6. The brace as defined in claim 5 wherein the bodycontactlng member isformed of two telescopic sections, said sections having a series ofrelative locations for locking telescopic movement.

7. The brace as defined in claim 6 wherein the bodycontacting member isvformed of a plastic bar having notched portions removed along onesurface thereof, a plastic housing section for receiving the plastic bartherein to provide relative telescopic movement of the plastic bar andhousing sections, and a locking means movable substantlallyperpendicular to the telescopic movement of the said sections forengagement with at least one of said notched portions, said plastic barconnected to said articlegtripping element disposed along the length ofsaid flexible s rip.

8. The brace as defined in claim 7 wherein an arcuate body-contactingmember is formed near a body-contacting held device is a hand gun.

end of said housing section.

9. The brace as defined in claim 8 for and a ming a hand-held device.

10. The brace as defined in claim use in supporting 9 wherein the hand-11. A hand-bracing device for supporting and fixing the extendeddistance of the hand and forearm from the shoulder with the elbow bent,as in supporting for instruction for aiming a hand-held instrument suchas a hand gun or the like, said device comprising a sliding bar,

a housing for said sliding bar open at one end for slidably' receivingthe same, and having a body supporting member at an opposite end, meansfor fixing said sliding bar in a selected position extending outwardlyof said housing,

and means at the outer end of said sliding bar for attaching said bar tothe extended hand for supporting and fixing the position thereof. a

12. The device as defined in claim 11 wherein the sliding bar has aseries of spaced notches in an edge and means for fixing the position ofthe extended sliding bar which comprises a latching member operativewith the notches in said sliding bar for fixing its outwardly-extendingposition from said housing.

13. The device as defined in claim 11 wherein the body supporting memberat an end of said housing is an armately curved body contact and bracingsurface for supporting the outer housing against the shoulder of theuser of said device.

14. The device as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for securing theouter end of said sliding bar to the hand of the user comprises a strapadapted to be secured about the thumb and palm of the hand of the user.

15. A hand bracing device for supporting and fixing the generallyhorizontally extended distance of the hand and forearm from the shoulderwith the elbow bent, as in supporting for instruction for aiming ahand-held instrument such as a hand gun or the like, said devicecomprising an elongated bar dimensioned to fix the distance from theshoulder of the user to the extended hand supporting UNITED STATESPATENTS 454,300 6/ 1891 Sproul 4294 2,985,980 5/1961 Broshous 42943,368,811 2/1968 Finney 42l FOREIGN PATENTS 4,974 11/ 1881 Great Britain42--94 BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner C. T. JORDAN, AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R. 42-72, 73

